Device for picking fruit.



Patented lan. 29, |90I.

J. L. HAcKETT.

DEVICE FDR PICKING FRUIT.

(Application led Hay 17, 1900.)

(No Model.)

TH: :mams Farms ou.. Nom-univ.. wAsHluoroN. n. c.

UNTTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. HAOKETT, OF. ROCHESTER, NEW YORK,

DEVICE FOR PICKING FRUIT.

SPECFICATION forming part f Letters Patent No. 666,666, dated January 29, 1901.

Application filed May 17. 1900. Serial No. 17,002y iNo model.)

T0 all 1071/0771, t rm/y concern.-

Be it known that l, JOHN L. HAGKETT, of Rochester, in the county of yMonroe and State of New York, have invented a new and useful g Improvement in Devices for Picking Fruit,

ing the detached masses-that is to say, he

may primarily pass the hand supplied with the picking device around the body to be detached and then conveniently sever the stern, at the same time holding the fruit in the hand, the other hand being employed in holding a receptacle for the gathered product or for holding to a ladder or for other use, as the case may be.

The invention is hereinafter fully described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring` to the drawings, Figure l shows the device as'applied to the hand and in use. Fig. 2 is a view of the thumb-piece or cutter, seen as indicated by arrow 2 in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a view of the thumb-piece, seen as indicated by arrow 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the dotted line l 4 in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the fingerpiece on the dotted line 5 in Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a View of the rear side of the linger-piece, seen as indicated by arrow 6 in Fig. l, showing the division and gusset. Fig. 7 is a plan of a modified form of the thumb-piece, showing a detachable cutter. Fig. S is a transverse section on the dotted line 8 Sin Fig. 7, showing the side holders for the cutter. Fig.

This device is preferably made in one piece cut from sheet-steel and bent to form. It is longitudinally divided over the fleshy part of the thumb, having the divided edges or parts a b lapped upon eachother, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The metal being yielding and elastic, the thumb-piece when crowded onto the thumb holds to place by spring action. The thumbpiece is formed with an extended part o at the forward end, terminating in a cutting edge c, having a rounded or oval form for severing the stems of the fruit.

The finger-piece B, opposing the cutter A, consists of a hollow part or covering for Athe linger in the form of a cot or sheath, preferably of fibrous material, as buckskin, reinforced over the fleshy part of the' linger bya pad d, Figs. l and 5, of hard leather or some similar material, to receive the thrust of the cutter and protect the finger. This fingerpiece is divided on the rear side opposite the pad d and supplied with a gusset e, Figs. l, 5, and 6 of yielding material, as india-rubber, covering the divided part of the cot, so that when pressed upon the finger the cot will hold to place on account of the elasticity of the yielding part e. This piece of india-rubber is preferably cemented against the inner surface of the cot, as shown, in position to cross and close the longitudinal slit or opening f in the rear side of the cot.

In Fig. l is shown the positions of the parts when in the act of severing a stern n of the fruit, the latter being inclosed by the hand. By cutting the stem in this manner the latter remains with the fruit, which is desirable, as the fruit retains its state of freshness much longer when the-stem remains attached t0 it than when torn out of or away from it. In case of gathering grapes, for example, if the stems be pulled or wrenched from thevine the berries are liable to be detached from the stem or perchance crushed by the hand in the effort to part the stem, particularly if the latter be tough and strong, as is frequently the case. By employing the cutter herewith shown the stem of'the fruit is readily cut and with only a gentle pressure of thehand against the fruit, so that the latter remains uninjured.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 to 8 the steel cutter g is held removably to a IOO base piece or holder h by met-al clips 7,' 't' 7c, the latter clip serving to receive the rear end thrust of the cutter when the latter is pressed against the stern of the fruit in the actof cut-v ting the same. These clips lap over the respective edges of the cutter and passing through the base-piece h are turned back between the latter and the cot or sheath l, to which the base-piece is secured. In this form of the device the cutterproper, g, maybe removed from its holdings for the purpose of redging or for protecting the edge when out of use.

What I claim as my invention isl. A device for picking fruit, consisting of a cutting part or cutter held upon the thumb and having its cutter extending in the direction of the length of such part and adapted to cut by endwise pressure, and an opposing coacting part held by the finger, substantially as shown and described.

2. A device for picking fruit, consisting of a-metal elastic cutting part or cutter held upon the thumb by spring action,.and an opposing part held by the finger and constructed, in action, to be disposed at right angles to said cutter, substantially as specified.

3. A device for picking fruit, consisting of a hollow metallic elastic cutting partl or cutter held bythe thumb, and an opposing part held by the finger, the body of said metallic with overlapping part-s, and the cutter shaped at its extreme end to cut by endwise pressure, substantially as shown.

4. A device for picking fruit, consisting of a hollow metallic part to pass over the thumb, formed with an extended part having a cutting edge at its outer end and adapted to cut by endwise pressure toward the index-linger,

said hollow part being elastic and dividedl longitudinally over the ball of the thumb, in combination with an opposing part to cover the finger, substantially as shown and described. s

5. A device `or picking fruit, consisting of a cutting part held upon the thumb, and an opposing coacting part B for the finger adapted to receive the end thrust of said cutting parl, at right angles to which it is disposed, said part B being hollow and divided longif tudinally at one side, and an elastic part secured thereto to cover the divide or opening in the part B, substantially as and for the purpose specified.V

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 7th day of May, 1900, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN L. HACKETT.

Vitnesses:

Enos B. WHITMORE, M. L. WINsToN.

cutter being conical, and open at one side, 

